Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur have reportedly been dealt a major setback in their pursuit of Raphinha, with the Brazil international closing in on a new contract at Barcelona.
Raphinha set to sign new four-year Barcelona deal
TEAMtalk claims the winger is poised to commit his long-term future to the Catalan giants, leaving Premier League suitors with little realistic hope of a move any time soon. Head coach Hansi Flick is said to have pushed for the agreement to be made a priority, and the new terms would run for four years.
Raphinha’s existing contract runs until the summer of 2028, a situation that had encouraged interest from Manchester United and clubs in Saudi Arabia. Barcelona reportedly paid £50m or more to sign him, and he has repaid that outlay with an impressive start to the season, contributing regularly with goals and assists.
Why Arsenal wanted Raphinha
Mikel Arteta was believed to be searching for a top-class attacking addition, and Raphinha’s versatility, able to operate through the middle or out wide, made him an obvious fit. The Gunners might have considered a sizeable bid had Barcelona shown any willingness to negotiate, but the Spanish club have no intention of letting him leave.
Tottenham’s interest fades
Spurs were also keeping tabs on the forward, with the report suggesting they had monitored him closely since January. Tottenham have the financial strength to make marquee signings, and a player of Raphinha’s calibre would have lifted their attack significantly. For now, though, that opportunity appears to have closed.
Why Arsenal and Spurs should look elsewhere
Frankly, Arsenal and Spurs were always fighting an uphill battle. Barcelona are unlikely to sell a player performing at this level, and a fresh contract only strengthens their bargaining position. Both clubs would be better off pursuing attainable targets rather than losing time on a player Barcelona will not sell.